Bartender making cocktail.

Point Reyes Cocktails: Station House Cafe’s Napa Negroni

Icon of cocktail glass.

Campari or Amaro?

The Negroni is traditionally made with Campari, but Station House Cafe bartender, Jen Warren, explains that using Lo-Fi Amaro gives this classic cocktail an update by adding the subtle bitter notes of gentian root and the bright, floral lift of hibiscus and rose.

Pairing Cocktails with Food

“The Napa Negroni is a perfect choice as an aperitif, getting the palate ready for food,” says Jen.

There are some foods that pair well with the Negroni, complimented by the spice and floral notes of Amaro — and hints of juniper, Meyer lemon, grains of paradise and coriander contributed by the Griffo gin.

The addition of Vya Sweet Vermouth adds a balance of bitterness with sweet, a luxurious mouthfeel, and pleasant aromatics.

“The aromatics in Vya sweet are unique (baking spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, cardamom) — also the sequence of sweet and bitter in the mouth,” explains Andy Quady, of Quady Winery in Madera, California.

“At first there is a sweet sensation which rapidly switches to bitter. The bitterness stays until one takes another sip and then the sweet momentarily returns,” says Andy.

Jen suggests pairing with Station House Cafe menu items like their calamari appetizer, which is stuffed with crab and shrimp, then fried…served over a bed of romaine hearts with a spicy red sauce.

Pouring gin into beaker.

Station House Cafe Napa Negroni

1 oz Griffo Gin
.5 oz Lo-Fi Gentian Amaro
.5 oz Vya Sweet Vermouth

Pour over ice & stir
Strain into a chilled martini glass
Finish with a twist of orange

Try making this at home. Or better yet, head over to Station House Café and enjoy a classic or seasonal cocktail.

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